Development Control Committee Agenda - 3 September 2015 RHONDDA CYNON TAF COUNTY BOROUGH COUNCIL MUNICIPAL YEAR 2015-2016 Agenda Item No.5 DEVELOPMENT CONTROL APPLICATIONS RECOMMENDED COMMITTEE FOR APPROVAL 3 SEPTEMBER 2015 REPORT OF: SERVICE DIRECTOR PLANNING 1. PURPOSE OF THE REPORT Members are asked to determine the planning applications outlined in Appendix 1. 2. RECOMMENDATION To approve the applications subject to the conditions outlined in Appendix 1. 1. Application No: 15/0695 - Erection of a 90m temporary anemometer mast comprised of a singular tubular guyed mast, supported by guy wires with the actual footprint not exceeding 0.1 ha in area. Planning approval is sought for a period of 36 months after which the mast will be dismantled and the ground conditions fully reinstated, land within the construction site of Pen Y Cymoedd Wind Farm, Easting 294330 2. Application No: 15/0813 - Extension of existing car park (amended red line received 16/07/15), St John Baptist High School, Glan Road, Cwmdare, Aberdare 3. Application No: 15/0884 - To install 3 no. temporary buildings to be used as additional classroom facilities. To be reviewed after 3 years, St John Baptist High School, Glan Road, Cwmdare, Aberdare. 13 Development Control Committee Agenda - 3 September 2015 This page intentionally blank 14 Development Control Committee Agenda - 3 September 2015 APPLICATIONS RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL APPLICATION NO: 15/0695/10 (DB) APPLICANT: Vattenfall Wind Power Limited, BD Renewables DEVELOPMENT: Planning application for erection of a 90 m temporary anemometer mast comprised of a singular tubular guyed mast, supported by guy wires with the actual footprint not exceeding 0.1 ha in area. Planning approval is sought for a period of 36 months after which the mast will be dismantled and the ground conditions fully reinstated. LOCATION: LAND WITHIN THE CONSTRUCTION SITE OF PEN Y CYMOEDD WIND FARM, EASTING 294330 NORTHING 200320 DATE REGISTERED: 18/06/2015 ELECTORAL DIVISION: Treherbert RECOMMENDATION: Approve REASONS: The principle of the development is considered acceptable and is considered to comply with the relevant policies of the Local Development Plan in respect of its impact on, landscape character and visual amenity, nature conservation and existing landscape features, archaeological features and highway safety. APPLICATION DETAILS The application seeks permission to erect a 90 metre high anemometer mast to measure wind speed and directional data in respect of the development of the Pen Y Cymoedd Wind Farm on land at Mynydd Tynewydd, (at GR 294330, 200320). The permission sought is for a temporary period of a maximum of 36 months, in order to collect up to date wind data in connection with turbine T82 of the consented wind farm scheme. The proposed development would consist of a 90 metre high slim tubular or lattice structure with anemometers and wind vanes positioned at various heights along the mast. The mast would sit on a steel base plate which would rest on a number of timber sleepers laid on the ground. It would be supported by eight guy wires constructed of galvanised steel and secured to the ground at eight anchor points to a shallow depth at 4 opposing corners around the mast, at between 25 - 50m from the base of the mast. Each anchor point would require an excavation of approximately 1.5m in depth which would be backfilled by the excavated material. 15 Development Control Committee Agenda - 3 September 2015 The mast would include anemometry equipment, a power source and a small transmitter to allow remote transfer of data. The applicant advises that the mast would be installed by qualified mast installers and would take 1 -2 days depending upon weather conditions and would only be undertaken during daylight hours. No abnormal loads would be required, as the mast would be transported in sections by 4x4 vehicles and off road trailers and assembled using a winch to raise the mast and secure the guy wires. No new access tracks or other infrastructure would be required for vehicular movements on site as use would be made of the existing forestry tracks and tracks of the existing consented wind farm development of Pen Y Cymoedd. The applicant advises that the mast would be located in an area of sparse, poor quality trees which will be cleared in order to provide an open location free from planting in order to provide accurate wind resource data. At the end of the temporary permission the mast would be removed and the land fully reinstated. A Design and Access Statement accompanies the planning application. SITE APPRAISAL The application site is located in the countryside, encompasses a circular area of 0.10 hectares, located at a height of approximately 500m A.O.D, located within the south eastern area of the Pen Y Cymoedd wind farm. It lies approximately 200m south -west of the trig point at Mynydd Tynewydd at 516m AOD. The site lies approximately 1.6km east of Blaenrhondda and approximately 1.7km north of Treherbert, the two closest settlements. The site forms part of the land belonging to Natural Resources Wales. The proposed access to the site of the mast would be along existing forestry tracks and the wind farm tracks which enter the public highway to the north west along Rhigos Road. The site is located within a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation known as Mynydd y Ystradffernol as defined in the Rhondda Cynon Taf Local Development Plan. The site lies within the Rhondda Historical Landscape as cited in the Register of Landscapes of Historic Interest in Wales: Part 2:2: Landscapes of Special Historic 16 Development Control Committee Agenda - 3 September 2015 Interest (2001), the Rhondda Historic Landscape representing one of the largest and best-known mining conurbations and coalfield communities in Britain. PLANNING HISTORY The site is located within the site of the Pen Y Cymoedd Wind Farm. Ref 09/1311 Approximately 47 Km² of land Application under S36 of the Raise no south of The Heads of The Electricity Act. objection Valleys Road (A465) between Construction/operation of a 07/10/11 Neath & Aberdare, to the north 299MW wind turbine of Maerdy, Treorchy, & generating station (84 Glyncorrwg and to the East of turbines, 4 anemometry Tonmawr masts and associated infrastructure. PUBLICITY The application has been advertised by means of site notices placed in the vicinity of the site access onto the public highway along the A4061 Rhigos Road and in the communities of Tynewydd and Treherbert. No responses have been received as a result of this publicity. CONSULTATION Public Health and Protection Division – raises no objections. Land Reclamation and Drainage - raises no objections. Countryside Section – raises no objections subject to conditions to secure pre site works, construction, operation, decommissioning and land restoration. No relevant SewBrec records of Statutory Protected Species from immediate vicinity. Appropriate bat informative needed on any planning permission. NRW – raises no adverse comments. Refers the applicant to Planning Advice Note for advice on pollution prevention and drainage. Transportation Section – raises no highway objections. Glamorgan Gwent Archaeological Trust - (GGAT) raises no objections to the positive determination of the proposed development. POLICY CONTEXT Rhondda Cynon Taf Local Development Plan (LDP) 17 Development Control Committee Agenda - 3 September 2015 The application site is situated in the open countryside, within the TAN 8 Strategic Search Area F (SSA F), within the Mynydd y Ystradffernol Site of Important Nature Conservation (Policy AW8.26) and Sandstone Resource Area (Policy AW14.2) as defined in the Local Development Plan. Policy AW5 supports development proposals where amenity and accessibility criteria are met. Policy AW6 supports development proposals where design and place making criteria are met. Policy AW7 seeks to protect and enhance features of the historic, archaeological and built environment and Public Rights of Way. Policy AW8 seeks to protect SINC’s, and features of the natural environment from inappropriate development. Policy AW12 supports development proposals which promote the provision of renewable energy where it can be demonstrated there is no unacceptable effects. Policy AW14.2 safeguards resources of sandstone from development which would unnecessarily sterilise them or hinder their extraction. National Guidance In the determination of planning applications regard should also be given to the requirements of National Planning Policy which are not duplicated in the Local Development Plan, particularly where National Planning Policy provides a more up to date and comprehensive policy on certain topics. Planning Policy Wales Chapter 3 (Making and Enforcing Planning Decisions), Chapter 4 (Planning for Sustainability), Chapter 5 (Conserving and Improving Natural Heritage and the Coast), and Chapter 12 (Infrastructure and Services) set out the Welsh Government's policy on planning issues relevant to the determination of the application. Other relevant policy guidance consulted PPW Technical Advice Note (TAN) 5 (Nature Conservation and Planning) and TAN 8 (Planning for Renewable Energy). The site is located inside of TAN 8 Strategic Search Area F. REASONS FOR REACHING THE RECOMMENDATION Section 38(6) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 requires that, if regard is to be had to the development plan for the purposes of any determination to be made under the Planning Acts, the determination must be made in accordance with the plan unless material considerations indicate otherwise. 18 Development Control Committee Agenda - 3 September 2015 Furthermore, applications that are not in accordance with relevant policies in the plan should not be allowed, unless material considerations justify the grant of planning permission. Main Issues: Principle of the proposed development The proposal involves the provision of an anemometer mast, 90 metres high, for a maximum period of 36 months, in order to collect up to date wind data in connection with the Pen Y Cymoedd consented wind farm scheme which is presently under construction.